The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, India’s ambitious bullet train project, marked a major step forward with the successful installation of a 70-metre-long steel bridge over the tracks of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) near Vadodara, Gujarat.
This engineering feat was executed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the agency responsible for developing the 508-kilometre corridor that aims to revolutionize travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The launch, completed on Tuesday, 8 April, signifies the seventh steel bridge constructed in Gujarat out of a total of 28 planned for the project.
Collectively, the seven bridges have consumed over 10,000 metric tonnes of steel, underlining the growing demand for robust steel infrastructure in India’s transport and construction sectors. Each bridge, including the latest one, represents a critical piece in the puzzle of building a modern, high-speed railway network capable of reshaping regional connectivity.
The newly launched steel bridge spans two DFCCIL tracks and weighs approximately 674 metric tonnes. Measuring 13 metres in height and 14 metres in width, the structure was fabricated in Durgapur, West Bengal, before being transported to the installation site using multi-axle trailers. A specialized launching nose, 49 metres in length and weighing around 204 metric tonnes, was employed to support the process.
According to NHSRCL, the bridge structure incorporates nearly 28,800 Tor-Shear Type High Strength bolts, designed with a corrosion-resistant C5 paint system and equipped with elastomeric bearings to ensure a service life of up to 100 years. The assembly process, conducted at an 18-metre elevation on temporary trestles, relied on a semi-automated jack system using mac-alloy bars to pull the bridge into position. Impressively, the entire launch operation was executed within just 12 hours, with minimal disruption to freight operations on the DFCC tracks.
This development highlights the expanding role of steel in shaping large-scale infrastructure across India. Industry professionals and stakeholders keen to explore the latest in steel engineering and innovation will find valuable insights at the upcoming Steel Construction Expo, scheduled from 27 to 29 November 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The event is set to bring together experts, engineers, manufacturers, and developers under one roof to exchange knowledge and explore cutting-edge trends influencing the future of construction.
